Last month, Tennessee collected more unused prescription drugs than any other state in the nation, marking one bright spot in an opioid epidemic that is claiming more lives each year than car accidents and has lowered the average U.S. life expectancy.

On Oct. 28, Tennesseans dropped off more than 68,000 pounds of prescription drugs at collection points around the state operated by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency as part of a national prescription drug "Take-Back Day."

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"I don't think there is any doubt that our year-round awareness efforts played a big role in the turnout of Take-Back Day in Tennessee," said Kristina Clark, project manager for Count It! Lock It! Drop It, a community program that raises awareness about ways to keep drugs out of abusers' hands.

The program began in Coffee County but has spread to 63 counties. It is funded in part by the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation.

Nationwide, the DEA's take-back day netted more than 450 tons of medications.

Reach Anita Wadhwani at awadhwani@tennessean.com, 615-259-8092 or on Twitter @AnitaWadhwani.